Garmin GPS options?-gctid347255

[Guest]

Seeing some of Lowrances poor reviews and poor customer service, I'm going to go with another Garmin GPS/FF combo or package.

I'm down to 3 options:

#1 541s GPS/FF combo with preloaded coastal maps ~$650

#2 521s GPS/FF combo satellite basemap only $580, + $125 for Bluechart G2 VUS037R(looks like it covers anywhere I may roam)

#3 3205 GPS only with preloaded coastal for $440, plus 400c FF only for $240(separate units so I can have dedicated screens and more redundancy.

What do you guys think?

[Guest]

At this time, the Garmin 740S is the darling of the industry. Though, it's more money for sure. Sometimes you can find Garmin guaranteed refurbs in the larger units.Some people say the Garmin maps don't have the quality of other brands. Compare brands in your area.That said, look for the unit that you understand, fits the dash, and has the best current maps available. Ease of use is important when the sun sets or the fog rolls in and you really depend on your instruments.

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/650080=24211-IMG_0078 (1).jpg[/img]

[Guest]

The 740s was one I looked at hard, but we fish alot and get herring hands and cruise some choppy waters, so the touch screen was a big minus. I did spend considerable time trying to locate the older 7XXs model with buttons but no dice. The lowrance basemaps cut off one of my favorite fishing spots, most had ~3 star reviews and alot of complaints about poor customer service and slow repair time. The biggest screen for the money is useless when your waiting 6 months for service...no thanks.

I ended up getting the Garmin 3205 5" chartplotter for it's preloaded coastal charts, external antenna(my explorer is hardtop), and easy navigation(one or two buttons gets you to the menu you want), plus it's expandable with all sorts of goodies from weather to add on engine guages.

The same charts were preloaded in my last Garmin and are adequate for our area.

Next to it will go a Garmin 500c color 5" fishfinder.

Came in $270 under my max budget with the pair, pretty happy with that, and no more split screen or toggling back and forth from the FF to GPS.

[Guest]

At least get the Garmin models with the higher resolution. I have the 545s and love the resolution, especially with the G2 Vision card. The 541 is the lower resolution and the 546s is the replacement of the 545s I have with the higher resolution and NMEA 2000 capability.

[Guest]

Yes the 3205 does have the better 480-x-640 pixel screen in it.

[Guest]

Ryan,

I'm in the same boat as you so to speak. I want/need to purchase a plotter and depth/fish finder. Could you post a pic or three of how you have your's mounted or arranged when you get them installed. Also, how is your transducer mounted?

Thanks.

-Jorden

[Guest]

Flash Jorden wrote:
Ryan,

I'm in the same boat as you so to speak. I want/need to purchase a plotter and depth/fish finder. Could you post a pic or three of how you have your's mounted or arranged when you get them installed. Also, how is your transducer mounted?

Thanks.

-Jorden

The bowriders or any boat with a windshield walk-thru really short you on dash space. I found the best way on my prior boat was to mount the GPS to the windshield brace tube. The 2270 has a semi-trucks dash space so it's not a good comparison..that's my prior boat in my avatar.

I just run the transom mount ducers, this time I am going to screw a piece of 1" black plastic to the transom though, and then the ducer to it so I can adjust and change it without drilling and sealing more holes in the boat.